David Radman

*** NOTE: I received an advance eBook copy in exchange for my honest review ***

Disclaimer: I don't have an age-appropriate child, and my 11-year-old just rolled his eyes when I asked him to take a look at the book, so I had to 'borrow' a neighbor's 6-year-old daughter and gauge her response to it ;-P

The rhyming text by David Radman is easy to read and uses simple wording so little explanation is needed when reading to youngsters. As another reviewer commented, however, it did seem as if in a show more few instances, the reasoning behind the rhymes was a bit contrived just for the sake of rhyming, but it's by no means a deal-breaker.

My 'test subject' thoroughly enjoyed the book, listening intently to the narration and giggling at the picture of the Dragon sitting in the wagon and hiding behind the tree. When asked if she'd like to have a Dragon friend like this, she quickly said "Yes!" but then whispered to me that she wouldn't want to fly in the air on his back.

Douglas Shuler's artwork is quite impressive; mixing photo-realism for the humans and almost watercolor-like renderings of the dragon and the background scenery. It's very eye-catching and will certainly hold a little one's attention.

Hopefully there are sequel(s) planned in the future, as it would be nice to see the Boy and his Dragon friend in other situations and adventures. show less

I Bet a Dragon Could is a delightful and imaginative children's book that captures the wonder of childhood curiosity. David Radman’s playful storytelling, paired with Douglas Shuler’s vibrant illustrations, brings to life the whimsical idea of what dragons might be capable of. The book sparks creativity and invites young readers to explore possibilities beyond the ordinary. With its engaging narrative and beautiful artwork, it’s perfect for inspiring kids to dream big and have fun with show more their imaginations. A wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf! show less

I love the concept of this book about a boy and his dragon going out and having adventures. I think the artwork really captures the idea of fantasy meeting reality - the boy looks realistic whereas the dragon looks like a fantasy painting. I thought the illustration of the duo at the mall with a "fire sale" in the background was a funny hidden gem! The rhyming rhythm was overall easy to keep, but tripped me up in a few places. Sometimes it felt like events were paired together just because show more they could make a rhyme, (e.g. changing tires and fireplace fires). I would love to see a sequel with this duo going out and focusing on tackling one major problem or adventure that shows us more about their personalities. I feel like they are a winning combination; however, I felt like this particular outing was a bit disjointed and didn't take me on the promised adventure. show less

4.5 Stars
Adorable children's book with fun rhymes for kids learning to read or following along with an adult reader. Love the illustrations and the story arc. One or two rhymes tripped me up as far as rhythm goes, but otherwise a fun choice for dragon lovers!

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